Hand-held combined rotary and reciprocable tool



G. J. BUBELIS 3,1313@ HAND-HELD COMBINED ROTARY AND RECIPROCABLE TOOLy.ely 4, 1965 Filed June 28, 1965 United States Patent O 3,181,280HAND-HELD COMBINED ROTARY AND RECIPRCABLE TOOL Y Gediminas J. Buhelis,Chicago, lll., assignor to Supreme Products Corporation, Chicago, Ill.Filed June 28, 1963, Ser. No. 291,472 6 Claims. (Cl. 51-170) Thisinvention relates to rotary tools designed to be held in the hand forperforming light cutting, abrading or polishing operations as inmodel-making, and in the fabrication of tools, dies, molds or similararticles in connection with which so-called free-hand performance isfrequently resorted to.

Tools of the foregoing class are well known but in those hitherto knownonly simple rotation of the cutting, grinding or polishing implement isavailable. Frequently is necessary to combine rotation of the tool withaxiallyreciprocating movement thereof, as for example, Where a surfaceis to be free of scratch marks such as would result from simple rotationof the implement, or removal of material from the work piece is to beaccelerated. i-leretofore, the operator seeking such results has beenobliged to reciprocate the entire tool and, in so doing, has diicultycontrolling the stroke to follow the predetermined contour and toconfine the action to a relatively small area. Moreover, the mental andphysical effort thus involved is exhausing and vexatious.

The present invention relates to improvements in handheld rotary toolswherein reciprocation of the spindle, and hence the implement securedthereto, may be accomplished through the medium of a digitallyactuatedbutton completely under the control of the operator, in order thatoverrun of the stroke or failure to follow a contour, with consequentinjury to the work, is precluded.

Another object is to provide a hand-held tool of the foregoing characterin which the desired reciprocating action is achieved with minimumapplication of friction to the spindle.

A further object is to provide a hand-held tool of the characteraforesaid in which the reciprocating feature is embodied in a simple,reliable manner at minimum cost.

An additional object is to provide a tool of the character stated inwhich the reciprocating stroke may be selected to be over any rangewithin a maximum range for which the tool is designed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe ensuing description which, taken with the accompanying drawing,discloses a preferred mode of carrying the principles of the inventioninto practice.

ln this drawing:

FIG. 1 is a combined side elevation and longitudinal mid-section of atool embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 22 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken on the line 3 3 of FIG. l; and

FlG. 4 is a partial view taken in the direction of the arrows 4 4 ofFIG. 1.

Broadly regarded, the invention comprises the incorporation, with therotary output shaft of the power source, of a rotatable and reciprocablespindle on the outboard end of which is means, e.g., a chuck, forgripping the working implement such as a cutter, rotary file, grindingwheel, polishing wheel, etc. Means are provided for digitally shiftingthe spindle in one direction against the bias of a spring, this latterotherwise serving continuously to maintain the spindlenon-reciprocatory. Thus, accurate control of shifting of the spindle isrendered possible as the operator is obliged to concentrate on only onedirection of shift, and such direction is so selected ll@ Patented May4, 1965 ICC as to require thrust of the operators thumb which issomewhat more easily controlled although, if desired, the parts may berearranged in order that ilexion of the thumb, rather than extensionthereof may be relied upon. The maximum stroke is predetermined but theoperator may select any stroke which is shorter, depending upon the workin hand, simply by controlling his thumb movement accordingly.

Thus, reverting to the drawing, there is shown a tool according to theinvention comprising a combined framework 1l) and housing portions 12and 13. These parts are desirably formed as mating halves 10a, 10b, 12a,12b and 13a, 13b secured by screws or bolts 14, all as is conventional,in order to render assembly and disassembly most convenient. The housing12 contains a suitable source of power, e.g., an electric motorhaving anoutput shaft 15, although an air motor or flexible shaft to an exteriorpower source may be availed of.

The shaft 15 carries one member 16, e.g., the male member, of a splinedcoupling secured to the shaft 15, e.g., as by a pin 19. The femalemember 19 of the coupling is secured, as by a pin 22 to the spindle 21,this latter being carried in anti-friction bearings 24 supported insuitable mating recesses in the housing halves 13a and 13b. At itsoutboard end the spindle carries a chuck or collet 26 of any known typeto grip the implement 27, elg., a cutter, grinding wheel, rotary file orpolishing wheel. In order to prevent rotation of the spindle while thechuck is being locked or unlocked, there is a recess 28 accessiblethrough a bore 31 whereby a pin may be temporarily inscrted into therecess 28, as is well known.

Reciprocation of the spindle is through the medium of a button 41slidable with respect to the housing portion 13 over some predeterminedrange, say 1A. Desirably, the button 41 is maintained in a pathlongitudinally of the tool by means of a pair of walls 42-42 engaged bythe flat sides of the button. Travel of the button is limited by theends 44 and 45 of a slot 46 in the housing portion 13, it being apparentthat each half 13a, 13b thereof contains one-half of the slot. Thebutton has a boss 49 riding in the slot 46 and has an L-shaped actuator51 pinned thereto (FIG. 2). The actuator is bifurcate, with arms 52-52straddling the spindle 21, in order that assembly of the parts may befacilitated. lt will be noted that the effective points of applicationof force by the actuator arms are essentially in an axial plane. Athrust washer 55 surrounds the spindle 21 whereby force exerted throughthe button 41 is not evidenced as excessive friction on the spindle. Thewasher 55 is, in turn, maintained in operative position by anaxially-fixed abutment, e.g., a backing ring 57, which may be a splitring seized in the groove in the spindle or a ilange forming an integralparlt lof the spindle. Bias means, e.g., a compression spring 61 isinterposed between the ring 57 and an abutment portion 62 of theframework constituted as matching halves, one associated with eachhousing portion 13a and 13b.

lf desired, a freely-rotatable ball may be mounted in a suitable recessin each arm of the actuator 51, or alternatively, the thrust washer 55may be of the ball-bearing t pe.

yFrom the foregoing it will have become evident that the spindle may bemanually reciprocated by alternate application of, and release ofpressure by the thumb resting on the button 41, the spring 61 restoringthe spindle as pressure is relieved. It will be understood that thebutton is so positioned that, when the housing portion 12 is gripped inthe hand in the most comfortable position, the thumb may be extended andflexed without fatigue to provide the required reciprocation of thespindle; also, that when reciprocation is not desired, the force of thespring rJ 61 will be such as to exert suiiicient bias to maintain thetool 27 in its operative position notwithstanding drag of the implement27 on the Work. The spline coupling 16 and 19 is so arranged that, whenfully engaged by reason of the spring 61, the chuck 26 is at the properaxial location, as shown.

If desired, the actuator 51, instead of being provided with furcations52, may completely surround the spindle whereby thrust may be applied tothe latter over a substantially larger area to reduce side loading ofthe spindle and easier control of reciprocation.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will beunderstood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto sincemany modiiications may be made and I, therefore, contemplate by theappended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A hand-held tool comprising a framework, powered means supported onsaid framework providing a rotary output, a spindle mounted on saidframework for combined rotary and reciprocating movement over apredetermined stroke, means at one end of said spindle coupling the sameto said output for said combined movement, means at the opposite end ofthe spindle to hold an irnplement to be applied to the work piece, anabutment axially xed on said spindle, a digitally-operable buttonmovable between two positions mounted on said framework, an actuatorproviding an operative connection between said button and spindleabutment, bias means e intermediate said abutment and framework normallyurging said spindle to one limit of its stroke, the actuation of saidactuator shifting said spindle toward the other end of its strokeagainst said bias means to impart reciprocating movement to saidimplement during rotation thereof.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said actuatorcomprises a bifurcated portion straddling said spindle and said abutmentis an annulus encircling said spindle.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 2 further characterized inthat a thrust washer is interposed between said actuator portion andannulus,

4. The combination in accordance with claim l wherein said abutmentcomprises a radially-extending flange on said spindle and said actuatorcomprises a portion providing pressure on said flange along a planewhich passes essentially through the rotational axis of the spindle.

5 The combination in accordance with claim 4 further characterized bythe provision of anti-friction means intermediate said flange and saidactuator portion.

6. A hand-held power-driven tool comprising a framework, means on saidframework to connect the tool to a source of power, a spindle mounted onsaid framework for combined rotary and reciprocating movement over apredetermined stroke, means at one end of said spindle coupling the sameto said iirst means for said combined movement, means at the oppositeend of the spindle to hold an implement to be applied to the work piece,an abutment axially fixed on said spindle, a digitally-operable buttonmovable between two positions mounted on said framework, an actuatorproviding an operative connection between said button and spindleabutment, bias means intermediate said abutment and framework normallyurging said spindle to one limit of its stroke, the actuation of Saidactuator shifting said spindle toward the other end of its strokeagainst said bias means to impart reciprocating movement to saidimplement during rotation thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,673,012 6/28Meunier 51-170 X 1,787,999 1/31 Schultz 81--57 1,802,078 4/31 Exley51-170 2,108,029 2/38 Connor 5134.9 X 2,200,573 5/ 40 Connor 51-3492,227,697 1/41 Blood 5 l-34.9 2,992,520 7/61 Kish 51-177 X FOREIGNPATENTS 926,752 4/ 47 France. 840,805 6/ 52 Germany.

LESTER M. SWINGLE, Primary Examiner.

JOHN C. CHRISTIE, Examiner,

1. A HAND-HELD TOOL COMPRISING A FRAMEWORK, POWERED MEANS SUPPORTED ONSAID FRAMEWORK PROVIDING A ROTARY OUTPUT, A SPINDLE MOUNTED ON SAIDFRAMEWORK FOR COMBINED ROTARY AND RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT OVER APREDETERMINED STROKE, MEANS AT ONE END OF SAID SPINDLE COUPLING THE SAMETO SAID OUTPUT FOR SAID COMBINED MOVEMENT, MEANS AT THE OPPOSITE END OFTHE SPINDLE TO HOLD AN IMPLEMENT TO BE APPLIED TO THE WORK PIECE, ANABUTMENT AXIALLY FIXED ON SAID SPINDLE, A DIGITALLY-OPERABLE BUTTONMOVABLE BETWEEN TWO POSITIONS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAMEWORK, AN ACTUATORPROVIDING AN OPERATIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID BUTTON AND SPINDLEABUTMENT, BIAS MEANS INTERMEDIATE SAID ABUTMENT AND FRAMEWORK NORMALLYURGING SAID SPINDLE TO ONE LIMIT OF ITS STROKE, THE ACTUATION OF SAIDACTUATOR SHIFTING SAID SPINDLE TOWARD THE OTHER END OF ITS STROKEAGAINST SAID BIAS MEANS TO IMPART RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT TO SAIDIMPLEMENT DURING ROTATION THEREOF.